Self-playing zither.



No. 769,671. PATENTED SEPT. 6, 1904. W. R. VERSTRAELEN & 0. ALTER. SELF PLAYING ZITHER. APPLICATION FILED SEPT a, 1903. NOYMODEL.

12'SHEETSSHEET 1.

WITNESSES. IN VE N T0195 6 willzamfl wnszraeien dywzd J40 I 6712 (sham/Zita PATENTED SEPT. 6, 1904. W. R. VERSTRABLEN & G. ALTER.

SELF PLAYING ZITHER. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 3, 190a.

QM r T Z N m I! C F m mud M L man 0 m sa U M ha U A S 2 L7 1 .IVI B a W17? am N0 MODEL.

No. 769,671. PATENTED SEPT. 6, 1904 W. R. VERSTRAELEN & C. ALTER. SELF PLAYING ZITHER.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 3, 1903.

N0 MODEL.

12 SHEETS-SHEBT 4.

12 SHBETS-SHEBT 5 PATENTED SEPT. 6, 1904.

W. R. VERSTRAELEN & C. ALTER.

.SELF PLAYING ZITHER. APPLIOATION FILED SEPT. a. 1903.

NOMODEL.

No. 769,671. PATENTBD SEPT. 6, 1904.

W. R. VERSTRAELBN & G. ALTER. SELF PLAYING ZITHER.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 3, 1903.

NO MODEL.-

12 SHEETS-SHEET 6 4 2 I b muuunnmnnmuuumun fin can WI TNE SSE S A TTOHNE Y8 No. 769,671. PATENTED SEPT. 6, 1904. W. R. VERSTRAELBN & 0. ALTER.

SELF PLAYING ZITHER.

APPLICATION FILED BERT. 3, 1903.

12 SHEETS-SHEET 7.

N0 MODEL.

WITNESSES zaiama fla a:

No. 769,671. PATENTED SEPT. 6, 1904. W. R. VERSTRA N & G. ALTER.

ITHER.

SELF PLA Z PPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP 3.

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@m WQ A 7TOHNE Y8 No. 769,671. PATENTED SEPT. 6, 1904. W. R. VERSTRAELEN & G. ALTER.

SELF PLAYING ZITHER.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 3. 190a. N0 MODEL. 12 SHEETS-SHEET 9.

Z9 126 7 l l i w/messss; mfig gjzm ZL d cmszi flzfer No. 769,671. PATENTED SEPT. 6 1904. w. R. VBRSTRAELEN & c. ALTER.

SELF PLAYING ZITHEB APPLICATION FILED SEPT. a. 1903. no MODEL, 12 8HEBTS-SHEET 1o.

WITNESSES: IN VE N TOHS No. 769,671. PATENTED SEPT. 6, 1904 W. R. VERSTRAELEN & O. ALTER. SELF PLAYING ZITHER.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 3, 1963. N0 MODEL. 12 SHEETSSHEBT 11.

PATENTED SEPT. 6, 1904. W. R. VERSTRAELEN & G. ALTER.

SELF PLAYING ZITHER.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 3, 1903. N0 MODEL.

12 SHEETS-SHEET l2.

UNITED STATES Patented September 190a.

PATENT OFFICE.

TVILLIAM R. VERSTRAELEN AND CHRIS"IAN ALTER, OF NEV YORK, N. Y.

SELF-PLAYING ZITHER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 769,671, dated September 6, 1904,

Application filed September 3, 1903. Serial No. 171,752. We model.-

To alkwhmn zit 711107 concern..-

Be it known that \ve,1VILLIAM R. VERSTRAE- LEN and CHRISTIAN ALTER, both citizens of the United States, and residents of the city of New York, borough of Manhattan, in the county and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Self-Playing Zither, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

The invention relates to stringed musical instruments having a coin-controlled motor and automatic picking devices for picking the strings.

The object of the invention is to provide a new and improved self playing zither arranged to permit the use of a number of selected rolls of note-sheets on a single carrier, whereby any one of the note-sheets may be brought into operative position and unwound over a tracker-board to cause picking of the strings, according to the notation of this operative note-sheet, and to automatically rewind the operative note-sheet after the tune is played to allow resetting by the operator of the roll-carrier for another tune, if desired.

The invention consists of novel features and parts and combinations of the same, as will he more fully described hereinafter and then pointed out in the claims.

A practical embodiment of the invention is represented in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the improvement, part of the casing being removed. Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of the same, part of the casing being removed. Fig. 3 is a transverse section of the same on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4C is an enlarged sectional plan view of the string-picking device. Fig. 5 is a like view of the same with the parts in a different position. Fig. 6 is an enlargedsectional front elevation of the pickers and levers for imparting a swinging motion to the same. Fig. 7

is an enlarged rear side elevation of the bellows or main wind-chest, the action windchest, and the mechanism for connecting and disconnecting the wind-chests with and from each other, parts being in section.

Fig. 8 1s a transverse section of the same on the line 8 8 of Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is an enlarged rear side elevation of the improvement, showing more particularly the tracker-board, the roll-carrier, and the unwinding and rewinding devices. Fig. 10 is a transverse section of the same on the line 10 10 of Fig. 9. Fig. 11 is a similar view of the same on the line 11 11 of Fig. 9. Fig. 12 is an enlarged rear elevation of the coin-controlled starting mechanism, parts being in section. Fig. 13 is a front elevation of the same, parts being broken out. Fig. 14. is an enlarged plan view of the, action wind-chest and the pneumatics for operating the pickers, parts being in section. Fig. 15 is a cross-section of the same on the line 15 15 of Fig. 1 1. Fig. 16 is a cross-section of one of the valved wind-chests for operating the rerolling device. Fig. 17 is an enlarged sectional elevation of one of the note-sheet spools and its mounting in the note-sheet carrier. Fig. 18 is a side elevation of part of one of the bass-strings of the instrument. Fig. 19 is a face view of one of the note-sheets. Fig. 20 is a like view of the tracker-board; and Figs. 21 and 22 are sectional views of the pneumatic valves, taken on the lines 21 21 and 22 22 of Fig. 1.

On a suitablyconstructed stand or other support A is held a zither or similar musical instrument B, having the usual strings B stretched over a resonating-board B preferably disposed vertically on the front of the support A, as plainlyshown in the drawings. The strings B are adapted to be picked by a picking device C (shown in detail in Figs. 1, 5, and 6) and provided with a picker bar or frame C, extending transversely of the strings B in front of the same, and on the top of the said picker-bar C are fulcrumed at G horizontally-disposed pickers C one for each string B, the said pickers standing approximately at right angles to the strings, as shown in Figs. 1 and 5. Each picker C is provided at its free end with an angular arm or lug C", adapted to engage the string at the rear side thereof to pick the string on swinging the picker-bar C forwardly, as hereinafter more fully described. Each picker U is pressed by a spring U against a stop U, preferably made of felt and secured to the top of the picker-bar C, as shown in Fig. 6, so that the lug (l of the picker-bar normally stands out of transverse alinement with its string B to allow the said lug C to pass between adjacent strings from the front of the same to the rear thereof, as will be readily understood by a comparison of Figs. 5 and 4. When the picker-bar C is swung rearwardly, then the desired picker C receives a swinging motion from the right to the left to bring its lug C in alinement with its string, so that on the next forward swinging motion of the pickerbar 0 the string is sounded by the lug C". Now in order to impart this swinging motion to a picker C at the time the latter is in a rearmost position, as shown in Fig. 4, a bell-crank lever D is provided for each picker, the bellcrank lever being fulcrumed on the pickerbar C, and its upper member engages the righthand side of the picker between the fulcrum I C thereof and the stop as plainly shown in Figs. 4 and 5. The other member of each picker D is pivotally connected by a link D with the movable part of a pneumatic D connected with an action wind-chest E. so that when this pneumatic is collapsed, as hereinafter more fully described, then a swinging motion is given by the corresponding link D to the picker-lever D to impart a swinging motion to the picker C for swinging the lug 0* in alinement with the string to insure subsequent sounding thereof on the forward or outward swinging motion of the picker-bar C. A swinging motion in a horizontal plane is given to the picker-bar C, and for this purpose the ends of the pickerbar G are mounted on the crank-pins F of crank-disks F, secured on rock-shafts F disposed vertically and journaled in suitable bearings A, carried on the main stand A. The crank-disks F are provided with wristpins F pivotally connected by links F* with pneumatics F, adaptedto alternately collapse and open,as hereinafter more fully described, so as to impart a rocking motion to the said crank-shafts F for the crank-disks F and crank-pins F to impart the desired swinging motion to the picker-bar C. In order to insure a uniform motion of the rock-shafts F, the latter are provided with pulleys F (see Fig. 1,) connected with each other by a band F, so that the rocking motion given to one shaft by its pneumatic F 5 and link F is transmitted to the other rock-shaft in case the lat ters pneumatic does not act properly. In order to hold the connected rock-shafts and the picker-bar C in either of their two end positions, a link F is provided, pivotally connected with one of the pulleys F and with the free end of a spring F", attached to a bracket A on the stand A, as plainly indicated in Figs. 4 and 5.

The action wind-chest E is preferably made in connected sections arranged in tiers, as

shown in Figs 1 and 3; but such arrangement is not essential. and the lower end of the action Wind-chest E is adapted to be connected and disconnected by a valve E with and from the main wind-chest G of usual construction, (see Figs. 3 and 7,) from which main windchest the air is exhausted by bellows G, connected by a pitman G with the crank-arms H of acounter-shaft H, journaled in the lower portion of the stand A and provided with a pulley H connected by a belt H with a pulley H journaled on the main shaft H of a motor H, preferably of the electric type, so that when the motor is running a rotary motion is given to the counter-shaft H, which, by the crank-arms H and pitman H actuates the bellows Gr to exhaust the air from the main wind-chest G. Now when the valve E is opened air is exhausted from the action wind-chest E for collapsing the pneumatics D as the notations of the note-sheets call for, as hereinafter more fully explained.

The sections of the action wind-chest E are connected by flexible tubes E with the usual openings 1 in a tracker-board I, over which is adapted to travel anote-sheet J, unwinding from a spool J on a note-sheet carrier K and winding up on a winding-up roller L, adapted to be driven from the counter-shaft H of the motor H. The note-sheet carrier K is adapted to carry a plurality of rolls of note-sheets, (see Figs. 9, 10, and .11.) and the said carrier is adapted to be turned by the operator to bring the desired note-sheet into a lowermost operative position. For this purpose the carrier is provided with a shaft K", journaled in suitable bearings attached to brackets A A", forming part of the stand A, and on the said shaft K are secured spaced flanges K 'K in which the spools J are journaled, as hereinafter more fully explained. One end of the shaft K extends to the outside of the stand A, and on the outer end of the shaft is. secured a wheel K, adapted to be taken-hold of by the operator for turning the carrier, and on the face of the said wheel is arranged a graduation on which indicates a pointer K fixed on the stand A. Now the spools J" and their note-sheet rolls are arranged in a circle on the carrier K and spaced equidistant apart, and the graduation on the outer face of the wheel K indicates the position of the said note-sheet rolls, so that when the operator turns the hand-wheel K* the pointer K indicates when the desired note-sheet roll is in a lowermost operative position. Each notesheet J is preferably made of paper or like flexible material and is provided with the usual apertures representing the notation of the piece of music, the said openings being adapted to register with corresponding openings l in the tracker-board 1. Now when this takes place air passes through the corresponding tracker-board openings I and tube E into a chamber E (see Figs. 14 and 15,)

over which extends a diaphragm E*, the top face of which is within the action wind-chest E, so that the air passing into this chamber E causes the diaphragm E* to swing upward and in doing so lift avalve-stem E and valve E" to connect the interior of the wind-chest E by ports E and E with the corresponding pneumatic E to collapse the same by exhausting the air therefrom. When this takes place, the corresponding picker is actuated, as previously described, to sound the corresponding string. As soon as the trackerboard opening is again covered by the notesheet then the valve E moves back to its former position-that is, closes the port E and connects the port E with the atmosphere so that the pneumatic D opens or expands by the action of its usual spring, and consequently the leverD is moved into its normal position to allow the spring C to swing the picker O back against its stop O. The chamber E is provided with a leak-aperture E to allow escape of air from the chamber and return of the diaphragm E".

It is understood that the above-described mechanism for actuating the pneumatic D from the tracker-board by the note-sheet and the action wind-chest E is alike for each pneumatic.

When a note-sheet roll J is in a lowermost position, its outer end is then to be connected with the winding-up roller L and passed over the tracker-board l, and for this purpose the following construction is provided: On the outer end of each note-sheet is secured a bar J extending beyond the sides of the notesheet and normally resting at the projecting ends in radial slots K, formed in the flanges K K of the carrier K. See Figs. 9, 10, and 11.) Springs Kon the flanges K K en gage the projecting ends of thebarJ to hold the same against accidental displacement in the flanges, but to allow the bar J to be pushed radially out of the slots K. The terminals of the bar J of each note-sheet project beyond the outer faces of the flanges K K to be engaged at the top by lugs N, formed on the free ends of arms N N, secured on a rock-shaft N journaled in suitable hearings in the stand A and provided with an arm N supporting a weight N, for normally holding the arms N in an uppermost positionthat is, with the lugs N above the terminals of the bar J of the note-sheet then in a lowermost position. On the shaft N is also secured a depending arm N (see Figs. 10 and 11,) adapted to be engaged by a catch O, fulcrumed on the movable member of a pneumatic O, attached to the stand A and connected by a flexible tube O with the main wind-chest G, so that when the air is exhausted from the latter on starting the motor then air is also exhausted from the pneumatic O to cause the same to collapse for the catch O to impart a swinging motion to the arm N to rock the shaft N so that the arms N swing downward and by their lugs N push the bar J downward out of the slots K" to partly unwind the note-sheet from its spool J and to draw the end of the note-sheet over the tracker-board I. The terminals of the bar J after leaving the slots K pass into guideways A formed in fixed plates A, attached to the stand A, and the lower ends of the guideways A are adjacent to flanges L,

formed on the winding-up roller L. The flanges L are provided with peripheral hooks L adapted to engage the terminals of the bar J moved by the arms N downward, so that the bar J" is moved into a longitudinal recess L formed lengthwise in the peripheral surface of the winding-up roller L. As the latter rotates as soon as the motor is started and at the time the bar J is moved downward by the arms N, as described, it is evident that the hooks L in engaging the terminals of the bar J carry the latter along,

so as to wind the end of the note-sheet on the winding-up roller L. As shown in Fig. 11,

two such hooks L are provided, standing diametrically opposite each other, and the arrangement is such that when the machine is at a standstill one of the hooks L is in front of the guideway A" to readily engage the bar J when the latter is moved down to the lower end of the guideway onto the inclined face Lt,

formed on the flange L and leading to the recess L A roller L is journaled in the lower part of the plates A to properly guide the note-sheet when rewinding it on the spool J. \Vhen the arms N have moved the bar J into engagement with the hooks L then the catch O releases and disengages the arm N",

so as to allow the weight N to rock the shaft N in a reverse direction for the arms N to swing upward. For the purpose mentioned the catch O is provided with an upwardlyextending lug O adapted to move in engagement with a plate O, fixed on the stand A, so that when the pneumatic O is collapsed and the bar J has been delivered to the hooks L then the lug O strikes against the fixed plate 0' to impart a downward swinging motion to the catch O to disengage the latter from the arm N thus allowing the shaft N to rock by the action of its weight N" for the purpose described. A spring O" normally holds the catch O in position to engage the arm l In order to prevent the bar J from dropping out of the recess L" and hooks L while passing around with the winding-up roller L, suitable spring guide-arms A are provided, secured at one end to the stand A and extending segmentall y on the outer faces of the flanges L. (See Figs. 9 and 10.)

In order to drive the winding-up roller L positively from the motor for winding up the note-sheet, the following device is provided: On the shaft L of the winding-up roller L is secured a gear-wheel L (see Figs. 9 and 10) in mesh with a pinion P, secured on a shaft P, mounted to turn and to slide longitudinally in the hub of a pulley P connected by a belt P with a pulley P on the counter-shaft H, (see Fig. 3,) so that when the latter is rotated a rotary motion is transmitted by the said pulley Pi belt P and pulley P to the shaft P, sothat the pinion P rotates the gear-wheel L, and consequently the shaft L and the roller L, to wind up the note-sheet thereon.

The valve E for connecting and disconnecting the action wind-chest E from the main eX- haust Wind-chest G is normally in a closed position, as shown in Fig. 7, and the said valve E does not open until the operative notesheet is connected by the mechanism abovedescribed with the winding-up roller, and for this purpose each note-sheet J is provided at its beginning end, adjacent to the bar J with a slot J preferably located near the middleof the sheet, to register with a trackerboard openingl connected by a pipe Q with a pneumatic Q (see Figs. 7 and 8) and by a branch pipe Q with the wind-chest Gr, so that during the time the slot J is in register with the tracker-board opening 1 the pneumatic Q is not aifectedthat is, remains open by the action of its spring, and the valve E consequently remains closedbut as soon as the end of the slot J has passed the tracker-board opening I and closed the same then the air is drawn out of the pneumatic Q by way of the pipe Q, branch pipe Q and main wind-chest G to collapse the said pneumatic Q to move the valve E into an open position. For this purpose the movable member of the pneumatic Q is provided with a catch Q adapted to engage a pin E on the valve-stem E for the valve E, so that when the pneumatic Q, collapses the catch Q pulls the pin E valvestem E and valve E downward for the valve to establish communication between the windchests G and E. The valve-stem E is pressed on by a spring E to normally hold the valve E in an uppermost or closed position, and hence when the catch Q is disengaged from the pin E at the end of the piece of music playedby the instrument then the spring E forces the valve E so as to disconnect the action wind-chest E from the main wind-chest G. A spring Qt securedon the movable member of the wind-chest G, presses an arm Q on the catch Q so as to normally hold the latter in engagement with the pin E After the tune is playedthat is, the last of the note-sheet note-apertures has registered with the corresponding tracker-boanl opening 1then the reversing mechanism is brought into automatic action-that is, the rotation of the winding-up roller is stopped and the shaft P is moved outward to disengage the-pinion P from the gear-wheel L to allow the shaft L to rotate loosely in its bearings, and at the same time the lowermost spool J is coupled by an auxiliary driving mechanism with the still rotating pulley P to rotate the said spool J, but in a reverse direction, so that the note-sheet is now rewound and unwinds from the roller L. For the purpose described the following mechanism is provided,special reference being had to Figs. 2, 9, 10, and 17: On the shaftP is securedagrooved shifting lever R, having its pivot or shaft R journaled in suitable bearings carried by the stand A, and the said shifting lever R is pressed on by a spring R to normally hold the shaft P in an innermost positionthat is, to hold the pinion P in mesh with the gearwheel L. The other forked end of the shifting lever B (see Fig. 9) engages a shifting collar S, secured on the inner end of a shaft S, mounted to slide 4 in and to turn with the hub S of a gear-wheel S havingits said hub S journaled in suitable bearings carried on the stand A. The gear-wheel S is in mesh with a gear-wheel S", mounted to rotate loosely on a stud S carried by the stand A, and on the said gear-wheel S is secured a grooved pulley S, connected bya belt S with agrooved pulley S mounted to rotate loosely on the hub P of the grooved pulley P. On the outer face of the pulley S are secured lugs S, one of which is adapted to be engaged at a time by a clutch-pin S mounted to slide transversely in the web of the grooved pulley P, and the outer end of the said clutchpin S is engaged by one end of a lever S, fulcrumed at or near its middle on the outer face of the pulley P and the said lever S is connected with the outer end of the shaft P, so that when a swinging motion is given to the lever R to move the shaft P outward then the latter imparts a swinging motion to the lever S for the latter to push the clutchpin S inward in engagement with one of the lugs S. is evident that the pulley S is carried around with the pulley P", owing to the pin S engaging a lug S, and the rotary motion of this pulley S is transmitted by the belt S pulley S, and gear-wheels S* and S to the shaft S, which is moved inward by the action of the lever R at the time the shaft P is moved outward, as above described. On the inner face of the shifting collar S is secured a crank-pin S adapted to engage a wing S on a shaft S, (see Fig. 17,) journaled in suitable bearings in the flange K of the carrier, the said shaft S being provide lat its inner end with asocket S adapted l to be engaged by the polygonal end ofthe I trunnion J of the spool J, then in a lowermost position, the other trunnion, J", of the I said spool being journaled loosely in a bearing carried by the flange K A spring J l presses on the outer end of the shaft J to hold the trunnion J in engagement with the socket S so that when the shaft S is rotated the rotary motion is given to the spool J to rewind the note-sheet thereon. It is undershifting collar P engaged by one end of a As the pulley P is still rotating it .With the action wind-chest E.

stood that. the shaft S is in axial alinement with the axisof the spool J at the time in a lowermostp'osition, so that when the shaft S is shifted-inwardly and rotated from the pulley P asdescribed, then the crank-pin S engages the wing S and rotates the shaft S for rotating'the spool to rewind the note-sheet, as mentioned. In order to rock the shaft R of the lever R at the proper time, the said shaft R is provided with an arm R, (see Figs. 10 and 12,) extending with its lowerend into the path of a lug T, secured on the movable member of a reversing-pneumatic T, attached to the stand A. The pneumatic T is connected by a tube T with a pneumatic valve T (see Fig. 16,) the said valve T having an exhaust-chamber T connected by a tube T (See Fig. 7.) In the bottom of the chamber T* is arranged a diaphragm T, carrying the valve-stem of a valve T adapted to open and close a port T for connecting the chamber T* with a chamber T into which opens the tube T. A port T leads from the chamber T to the outer air, as plainly indicated in Fig. 16. The under side of the diaphragm T extends over a chamber T provided with a leak-opening T and connected by a tube T with a tracker-board opening 1 adapted to be uncovered by a slot J formed in the note sheet near the end thereof, so that when this slot J uncovers the said tracker-board opening 1 air passes through the latter and tube T into the chamber T to cause the diaphragm T to move up ward, so as to move the valve T 03 its seat over the port T to connect the chambers T and T with each other and to close the port T Now when this takes place air is exhausted by way of the tube T from the reversing-pneumatic T to cause the latter to collapse and in doing so cause the lug T to impart a swinging motion to the arm R to rock the shaft R of the lever B, as previously described, to throw the pinion P out of mesh with the gear-wheel L and to throw the crank.- pin S in engagement with the wing S of the lowermost spool, so that the spool is positively turned to wind up the note-sheet unwinding now from the roller L. The reversing-pneumatic T also controls the tripping mechanism for the catch Q (shown in Figs. 7 and 8 and previously mentioned,) and for this purpose the following device is provided: To the movable member of the reversing-pneumatic T is attached one end of a link U, (see Fig. 2.) connectedat its other end with a bell-crank lever U, fulcrumed on the stand A, and the said bell-crank lever U is connected by a link U (see Figs. 7 and 8) with a bell-crank lever U fulcrumed on the frame for the chests G and E, and the said bell-crank lever U is provided at its free end with a pin U,

swinging motion is given by the bell-crank lever U to the catch Q" to disengage the latter from the pin E to allow the spring E to close the valve E, as previously mentioned that is, at the time the tune has been played-- so that the action wind-chest E is disconnected from the main wind-chest G during the re\-vindingof the note-sheet, as previously :previously explained, to set the reversing mechanism in action and to cause closing of the valve E for the purpose mentioned. In order to hold the reversing mechanism 1n an active position, the arm R is extended above the shaft R, (see Fig. 10,) and this end of the arm carries a pin 11*, adapted to be engaged by the notch of a locking-pawl R fulcrumed on the stand A, the said notch dropping into the pin 1? at the time the lever R reaches the end of its swinging motion given by the lug T of the reversing-pneumatic T.

The motor H is started by closing the circuit through the medium of a coin V, placed by the operator in acoin-chute V, having its mouth extending to the outside of the stand A. The lower end of the coin-chute V (see Figs. 12 and 13) is provided with a coin-retainer in the form of a fixed member V and a movable member V inclined toward each other, to hold the coin rolling down the chute between the members, as plainly indicated in Fig. 13. \Vhen this takes place, the circuit is closed, as the members V and V are connected by circuit-wires H H with the motor H", one of the wires containing a source of electrical energy H", as shown in the said Fig. 13. Now when the circuit is closed the motor H is started. The member V of the coin-retainer is in the form of an arm, fulcrumed at its upper end at V on the coinehute and pivotally connected by a link V with the movable member of a pneumatic V, held on the coin-chute and connected by a tube V with the tube 0 previously mentioned, (see Fig. 10.)and leading from the pneumatic O to the main wind-chest G, as illustrated in Fig. 2 The free lower end of the movable member V is engaged by a catch V to hold the said member against swinging to one side at the time the motor is started, and air is drawn from the pneumatic V by the tubes V, 0 and wind-chest G. The catch V is secured on the end of a transverse shaft V", journaled in suitable hearings on the stand A, (see Fig. 10,) and on the rear end of the said shaft V 5 is secured a depending pin V adapted to be adapted to engage the tailpiece Q of the l engaged by a cam-arm N on one of the arms catch Q at the time the pneumatic Q is coll N, employed for carrying the bar J" of anote- 5 lapsed and the valve E is open, so that a l sheet to the winding-up roller, as previously explained. Now when the armsN swing back into a final uppermost position the cam N engages the arm V to impart a rocking motion to the shaft V so that the catch V releases the movable member V to allow the pneumatic V to collapse, and thereby swing the -movable member V into an open position that is, away from the fixed member V -to allow the coin to drop. At the time this takes place one of the arms N, which extends under the catch R raises the latter to swing the catch out of engagement with the pin R to allow the spring R of the lever B to return the latter to its normal position-that is, to set the reversing mechanism out of action.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the coin V is held between the members V and V until after the note-sheet is rewound on its roll, and while the coin is in this position it forms an abutment for a locking device to pre vent accidental turning of the carrier K. For the purpose described the flange K of the carrier K is provided in its peripheral surface with notches K", (see Fig. 10,) one of which is adapted to be engaged at a time by a lug W on a locking-lever W, fulcrumed at its upper end at W on a bracket secured to the coin-chute V. A spring V presses the lever W to hold the lug W in engagement with a notch K and the lower free end of the said lever W is pivotally connected with an arm W. mounted to slide in a bearing in the coinchute to abut against the coin V, as will be readily understood by reference to Figs. 10 and 13. Now as long as the coin is in position in the coin-retainer the lever W is locked in place, and hence the operator cannot turn the carrier K and wheel K*that is, during the time the coin is in position the note-sheet carrier K is locked against turning and only becomes unlocked when the coin V is allowed to drop on allowing the movable member V to swing into an open position on the collapsing of the pneumatic V.

In order to allow the pneumatics F F, employed for imparting a swinging motion to the. picker-bar C, to alternately collapse and expand, the following device is provided: On the sides of the note-sheet J are formed rows of aperturesJ J arranged to register alternately with the tracker-board openings 1* 1 (see Fig. 20,) connected by flexible tubes X X with pneumatic valves X X (shown in Fig. 1,) connected with the action wind-chest E and with the pneumatics F The valve X is in box form and is secured to the top of the chest E, while the valve X is a box incorporated or formed in the wind-chest E. These valves may, however, be otherwise supported. The valves X X are connected by tubes X X with the pneumatics F F and, as shown in Figs. 21 and 22, the said valves are of the same internal construction as the valve T, Fig. 16, so that further detail de scription of the same is not deemed necessary.

Now when a tracker-board opening 1* or I is uncovered by the corresponding note-sheet aperture J or J then air passes into the pneumatic-valve X or X to connect the corresponding pneumatic with the action windchest to collapse the pneumatic, and when the note-sheet aperture J" or J has passed its tracker-board opening 1* or I the collapsed pneumatic F expands by the action of its spring. The note-sheet apertures J J are staggered and spaced equal to the note-apertures of the note-sheet, so that for each noteaperture registering with a tracker-board opening I one of the apertures J 9 or J registers with its tracker-board opening I or and hence a swinging motion is given to the picker-bar O for each note-aperture of each transverse row of note-apertures on the notesheet.

In order to insure proper picking of the heavy or bass strings having a core B and a wire covering B (see Fig. 18,) a portion of the covering B is removed for the lug Cof a corresponding picker to engage the core in picking the string.

The operation is as follows: The operator first turns the hand-wheel K until the pointer K indicates the desired piece of music to be played on the Zither B, and by turning the hand-wheel K the note-sheet carrier K is revolved until a note-sheet containing the notation representing the desired music is in a lowermost positionthat is, above the trackerboard I. As soon as the operator has set the hand-wheel K as described a coin-say a nickel--is passed into the coin-chute V, and this coin in dropping between the members V and V closes the electric circuit, which starts the motor H and as the coin now forms an abutment for the arm W the note-sheet carrier is locked against rotation, as previously explained. The motor now actuates the bellows G to exhaust the air from the main windchest G, and the wind-chest G bythe tube 0 exhausts the air from the pneumatic O for actuating the arms N to carry the bar J of the lowermost operative note-sheet downward into engagement with the hooks L of the winding-up roller L, driven as soon as the motor starts running, so that the winding-up roller begins to wind up the note-sheet. As soon as this takes place the catch 0 releases the arm N and the arms N swing partly back-that is, into a counterbalanced posit ionowing to the action of their weight N. Now while the note-sheet is being wound up the slot J at the beginning of the note-sheet passes over the tracker-board opening 1 and hence air keeps the pneumatic Q, inflated, notwithstanding that the pipe Q is connected by the branch pipe Q with the wind-chest G, and consequently the valve E is still closed. As soon as this slotJ has passed its tracker-board opening 1 then airis sucked out of the pneumatic Q and the lattercollapses and its catch Q imparts a sliding motion to the valve E to open the same to connect the main windchestG with the action wind-chest E. The note-apertures in the note-sheet now begin to register with the tracker-board openings I, and hence the pneumatics D are actuated to cause the levers D to bring the pickers into active engagement at the time the picker-bar is caused to rock owing to the action of its pneumatics F". The tune is now played and when finished the slot J registers with the tracker-board opening I to let air into the chamber T of the pneumatic-valve T (see Fig. 16) to cause shifting of the valve T for air to be sucked out of the reversing-pneumatic T to collapse the latter for bringing the reversing mech anism in action, as previously explained. At

the same time the collapsing of the reversing pneumatic T causes a releasing of the catch Q to permit the valve E to fly shut, owing to the action of the spring E, to disconnect the action wind-chest E from the main windchest Gr, so that the picker device comes to a standstill. The reversing mechanism now rotates the lowermost spool to wind up the notesheet and to unwind it from the roller L. Now when the sheet is rewound on its spool its bar J 3 finally leaves the recess L and passes up through the guideway A into the slots K of the carrier-flanges K K and in doing so the bar comes in contact with the lugs N of the levers N, so as to swing the same back into a final uppermost position, whereby the catch R is swung out of engagement with the pin I? to allow the reversing mechanism to return to its former position, owing to the action of the spring R and at the same time the cam N 6 engages the pin V to rock the shaft V for the catch V to re lease the movable member V The pneumatic V now swings the movable member V outward to allow the coinV to drop that is,

move out of engagement with the members V and V to break the circuit, and hence to cause the motor H to stop, and at the same time the coin dropping away from the members V and V moves out of the path of the bar W to unlock the lever W, and hence allow resetting of the note-sheet carrier K whenever it is desired to do so.

By the arrangement described a large number of note-sheets can be accommodated on the carrier to provide a large repertoire for the instrument, and the note-sheets may be of any desired length to allow of rendering long pieces of music. Furthermore,thenote-sheets on one carrier may be of different lengths, as the motor keeps in action until the slot J registers with its tracker-board opening. It is understood that the slot J is located at a distance from the end of the note-sheet to provide a sufficient blank length of the notesheet between the tracker-board and the spool on which the end is secured. Any one of the spools J and its note-sheet roll can be readily l 1 l l removed from the carrier and replaced by another whenever desired.

Having thus described our invention, we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. A self-playing stringed musical instrument, comprising in combination the following elements: a pickingframe carrying pickers and mounted to swing toward and from the strings, pneumatically-controlled devices for imparting motion to the pickers on the said frame, a tracker-board for the said devices,

and means for moving a note-sheet over the said tracker-board, as set forth.

2. A self-playing stringed musical instrument, provided with a pneumatically-controlled picking device for the strings, a rollcarrier for carrying a plurality of note-sheet rolls, a winding-up roller for winding a notesheet up, a tracker-board over which passes the note-sheet from the carrier to the windingup roller, and means for automatically carrying one end of the note-sheet to the said winding-up roller, for the latter to wind up the sheet, as set forth.

3. A self-playing stringed musical instrument, provided with a pneumatically controlled picking device for the strings, a rollcarrier for carrying aplurality of note-sheet rolls, a winding-up roller for winding a notesheet up, a tracker-board over which passes the note-sheet from the carrier to the windingup roller, and means for automatically carrying one end of the note-sheet to the said winding-up roller, the latter having means for engaging the said notesheet end, to hold and wind up the note-sheet, as set forth.

4. A self-playing stringed musical instrument, provided with a main wind-chest, an action wind-chest, a valve for connecting and disconnecting the said windchests, a manually-controlled revolublenote-sheet carrier, a driven winding-up roller for winding up one of the note-sheets at a time, a tracker-board connected with the said action wind-chest and lying between the said carrier and the winding-up roller, for the active note-sheet to pass over the trackerboard, swinging arms for engaging the outer end of the active note-sheet, to move the said end in engagement with the winding-up roller, and a pneumatic connected with the said main wind-chest and having a connection with the said arms, to impart a swinging motion thereto, as set forth.

5. A self-playing stringed musical instrument, provided with a main wind-chest, an action wind-chest, a valve for connecting and disconnecting the said wind-chests, a manually-controlled revoluble note-sheet carrier, a

L driven winding-up roller for winding up one of the note-sheets at a time, a tracker-board connected with the said action wind-chest and lying between the said carrier and the winding-up roller, for the active note-sheet to pass over the tracker-board, swinging-arms for engaging the outer end of the active note-sheet, to move the said'end in engagement with the Winding-up roller, a pneumatic connected 1 with the said main wind-chest and having a connection with the said arms, to impart a swinging motion thereto, and a tripping device for disconnecting the pneumatic and arms, for the latter to return, as set forth.

6. A self-playing stringed musical instrument, provided with a main wind-chest, an ac tion Wind-chest, a valve for connecting and disconnecting the said wind-chests, a manuallycontrolled revoluble note sheet carrier, a driven winding-up roller for winding up one of the note-sheets at a time, a tracker-board connected with the said action wind-chest and lying between the said carrier and the winding-up roller, for the active note-sheet to pass over the tracker-board, swinging arms for engaging the outer end of the active note shect, to move the said end in engagement with the winding-up roller, a pneumatic connected with the said main wind-chest and having a connection with the said arms, to impart a swinging motion thereto, and a second pneumatic for opening the said wind-chest valve, connected with a tracker-board opening controlled by a slot in the beginning end of the note-sheet, to open the said valve after the end of the notesheet is connected with the said winding-up roller, as set forth.

7. A self-playing stringed musical instrument, provided with a main wind-chest, an action wind-chest, a valve for connecting and disconnecting the said wind-chests, a manuallycontrolled revoluble note sheet carrier, a driven winding-up roller for winding up one of the note-sheets at a'time, a tracker-board connected with the said action Wind-chest and lying between the said carrier and the winding-up roller, for the active note-sheetlo pass over the tracker-board, swinging arms for engaging the outer end of the active note-sheet, to move the said end in engagement with the Winding-up roller, a pneumatic connected with the said main wind-chest and having a connection with the said arms, to impart aswinging motion thereto, a second pneumatic for opening the said wind-chest valve, connected with a tracker-board opening controlled bya slot in the beginning end of the note-sheet, to open the said valve after the end of the note-sheet is connected with the said winding-up roller, and a picking device for the strings, pneumatically controlled from the said action windchest, as set forth.

8. A self-playing stringed musical instrument provided with a picking-frame, mounted to swing in front of the strings, pickers fulcrumed on the said frame and having their free ends provided with angular arms, for engaglng the strlngs, levers fulcrumed on the frame, for imparting a swinging motion to the said pickers, pneumatics, and links for connecting the said pneumatics with the said levers, as set forth.

9. A self-playing stringed musical instrument provided with a picking-frame, mounted to swing in front of the strings, pickers fulcrumed on the said frame and having their free ends provided with angular arms, for engaging the strings, levers fulcrumed on the frame, for imparting a swinging motion to the said pickers, pneumatics, links for connecting the said pneumatics with the said levers, rockshafts having crank'pins, on which the said frame is mounted, and pneumatics for rocking the said shafts, as set forth.

10. A self-playing stringed musical instrument provided with a picking-frame, mounted to swing in front of thestrings, pickers fulcrumed on the said frame and having their free ends provided with angular arms, for engaging the strings. levers fulcrumed on the frame, for imparting a swinging motion to the said pickers, pneumatics, links for connecting the said pneumatics with the said levers, rockshafts having crank-pins, on which the said frame is mounted, pneumatics for rocking the said shafts, and an action windchest for the said pneumatics, as set forth. I

11. A self-playing stringed musical instru ment provided with a picking-frame, mounted to swing in front of the strings, pickers fulcrumed on the said frame and having their free ends provided with angular arms, for engaging the strings, levers fulcrumed on the frame, for imparting a swinging motion to the said pickers, pneumatics, links for connecting the said pneumatics with the said levers, rock-shafts having crank-pins, on which the said frame is mounted, pneumatics for rocking the said shafts, an action wind-chest for the said pneumatics, a tracker-board over which passes the note-sheet, and valves controlled from the tracker-board, for connecting the action wind-chest with the pneumatics for the said picker-levers, as set forth.

12. A self-playing stringed musical instrument provided with a note-sheet carrier mounted to turn, a plurality of note-sheet rolls disposed in a circle and carried by said carrier, the axes of the note-sheet rolls being arranged parallel with the axis of the carrier, and a winding-up roller for the note-sheets carried by the rolls, as set forth.

13. A sclfplaying stringed musical instrument provided with a note-sheet carrier mounted to turn, a plurality of note-sheet rolls, disposed in a circle and carried by said carrier, the axes of the note-sheet rolls being arranged parallel with the axis of the carrier, a winding-uproller for the note-sheets on said rolls, and means, under the control of the operator, for turning the carrier to bring any one of the rolls into an operative position, as set forth.

14. A self-playing stringed musical instrument provided with a note-sheet carrier, a plu- 

